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Abstract

Traditionally policies for the development of rural areas have focussed on the catching up with core areas. More recently however identity has become a focal point in rural planning. The increasing attention for local identity conflicts with the overwhelming power of globalisation and standardisation. In this context, the book examines the identity of rural areas. It makes clear that a rural identity is not a natural or objective fact, but is ascribed by actors who have different interests in the development of an area. This implies an existence of multiple identities. The different contributions refer to regions in the Netherlands, Flanders, Sweden, Ireland and the UK. - (AGD)